Since 2015, as many as 9,154 beneficiaries have been aided through training programmes aimed at empowering young people in Delta. The Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, Professor Eric Ebault, Chief Jobs Creation Officer gave this data. The programmes include-
- Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP)
- Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP)
- Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme (GEEP)
- Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP).
According to Professor Eboh, YAGEP trained 1,776 youths, STEP 5,051, GEEP trained 170 youths, and PPSP funded 2,157 youths. Thus, generating a total of 9,154 beneficiaries.
Addressing the beneficiaries at a one-day Farm Enterprise Training in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Prof. Eboh said the training has made youth agricultural entrepreneurs better than they met them.
The training with the theme, “Managing Your Farm Enterprise: The Critical Dos and Don’ts,” was attended by 254 YAGEP beneficiaries. All of which were enrolled into the 2022 cycle in Crop, Fish and Poultry Farming.
He noted that the direct beneficiaries of job creation programmes since 2015-2023 are all recognised and recorded.
Eboh disclosed that before the training in 2015, a survey which gave the Okowa administration insight into youth participation in agriculture was carried out by the Okowa administration.
Prof. Eboh harped on the need for beneficiaries that have not registered their farm as a business entity/name to do so.
His words-
“No serious business can fund itself and can operate on its own. Loan is not evil. Loan is the oil that oils the business, I would like us to open up in this workshop, don’t hold back, adopt the mindset of a missionary to impact and create value in the lives of the beneficiaries”.
cc: The Nation Ng
